EEOB 2520 Human Physiology Midterm
Exam 2026/2027 | 120 Practice Questions
with Detailed Answers | OSU Anatomy &
Physiology Study Guide
Description:
Master your EEOB 2520 Human Physiology Midterm with 120 comprehensive practice
questions covering membrane transport, neurophysiology, sensory systems, and
autonomic function. Complete answer explanations included.
Download the ultimate 2026/2027 exam preparation guide and ace your OSU physiology exam
today!
, EEOB 2520 Human Physiology Midterm 2026/2027: Practice
Questions & Answer Key
Instructions: This examination consists of 120 multiple-choice questions covering
fundamental concepts in human physiology. Select the single best answer for each question.
All questions are weighted equally.
SECTION I: CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY AND MEMBRANE TRANSPORT
1. Diffusion across the plasma membrane requires a concentration gradient but does not
require:
A) A selectively permeable membrane
B) ATP
C) A carrier protein
D) A concentration difference
E) Molecular motion
Answer: B
Explanation: Simple diffusion is a passive process driven by the kinetic energy of
molecules. It requires a concentration gradient but does not require ATP, which is only
necessary for active transport mechanisms.
2. A typical mammalian cell is placed in a solution and immediately begins increasing in
volume. Therefore, the solution is _______ and an osmotic pressure gradient _______
created:
A) Hypertonic; is
B) Hypotonic; is
C) Isotonic; is not
D) Hypotonic; is not
E) Hypertonic; is not
Answer: D
Explanation: Water moves into the cell when the extracellular solution has a lower solute
concentration (hypotonic) than the intracellular fluid, causing the cell to swell. Osmotic
pressure always exists when solute concentrations differ across a membrane.
,3. A researcher develops a protocol for creating a solution that causes cells placed within
it to lose all of their ATP. Consequently, for cells placed in this solution, their
sodium/potassium ATPase pumps would be unable to function, and which compound
would still be able to enter the cells?
A) Glucose via facilitated diffusion
B) Glucose via primary active transport
C) Sodium via primary active transport
D) Potassium via the sodium/potassium pump
E) Amino acids via secondary active transport
Answer: A
Explanation: Glucose uptake via GLUT proteins occurs through facilitated diffusion, which
does not require ATP. The sodium/potassium ATPase pump requires ATP to function, as do all
primary and secondary active transport mechanisms.
4. Which of the following statements correctly describes the movement of compound X
across the plasma membrane via protein Y?
A) Energy was necessarily used for transport
B) X must have moved against its concentration gradient
C) Protein Y could be an always-open channel
D) Only X could move through protein Y
E) X required ATP hydrolysis to move
Answer: C
Explanation: Protein Y could be an ion channel that remains continuously open, allowing
passive movement of X down its electrochemical gradient without energy expenditure. Other
compounds might also move through the same channel.
5. A student consumes 0.5 L of a beverage containing 2 mol glucose, 1 mol NaCl, and 2
mol MgCl₂. A friend consumes 1 L of a beverage containing 1 mol glucose, 2 mol HCl,
and 3 mol MgCl₂. Which statement correctly compares their osmolarities?
A) The friend's beverage has higher osmolarity
B) Both beverages have equal osmolarity
C) The student's beverage has higher osmolarity
, D) Osmolarity cannot be calculated without the dissociation constants
E) The beverages have identical osmolarities because volume differs
Answer: C
Explanation: Student's beverage: glucose (2 × 1 = 2), NaCl (1 × 2 = 2), MgCl₂ (2 × 3 = 6) =
10 osmoles per 0.5 L = 20 Osm/L. Friend's beverage: glucose (1 × 1 = 1), HCl (2 × 2 = 4),
MgCl₂ (3 × 3 = 9) = 14 osmoles per 1 L = 14 Osm/L. The student's beverage has higher
osmolarity.
6. The sodium/potassium ATPase pump is classified as a counter-transporter because it:
A) Moves both sodium and potassium against their concentration gradients
B) Moves sodium out of the cell and potassium into the cell simultaneously
C) Uses ATP to power the movement of both ions
D) Transports two potassium ions into the ICF while pumping sodium out
E) Requires both ions to be present for activity
Answer: D
Explanation: The sodium/potassium ATPase pump transports three sodium ions out of the
cell and two potassium ions into the cell per ATP hydrolyzed, making it an antiporter that
moves ions in opposite directions.
7. To increase the diffusion rate of compound X across the plasma membrane, which
modification would be effective?
A) Increasing membrane thickness
B) Changing compound X from nonpolar to polar
C) Doubling the cell's membrane surface area
D) Reducing the concentration gradient
E) Decreasing membrane fluidity
Answer: C
Explanation: According to Fick's law, the diffusion rate is directly proportional to the
membrane surface area. Doubling the surface area would increase the diffusion rate.
8. Which statement correctly describes active transport mechanisms?
A) Primary active transport always requires energy and always involves counter-transport
B) Secondary active transport always uses ATP directly
Exam 2026/2027 | 120 Practice Questions
with Detailed Answers | OSU Anatomy &
Physiology Study Guide
Description:
Master your EEOB 2520 Human Physiology Midterm with 120 comprehensive practice
questions covering membrane transport, neurophysiology, sensory systems, and
autonomic function. Complete answer explanations included.
Download the ultimate 2026/2027 exam preparation guide and ace your OSU physiology exam
today!
, EEOB 2520 Human Physiology Midterm 2026/2027: Practice
Questions & Answer Key
Instructions: This examination consists of 120 multiple-choice questions covering
fundamental concepts in human physiology. Select the single best answer for each question.
All questions are weighted equally.
SECTION I: CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY AND MEMBRANE TRANSPORT
1. Diffusion across the plasma membrane requires a concentration gradient but does not
require:
A) A selectively permeable membrane
B) ATP
C) A carrier protein
D) A concentration difference
E) Molecular motion
Answer: B
Explanation: Simple diffusion is a passive process driven by the kinetic energy of
molecules. It requires a concentration gradient but does not require ATP, which is only
necessary for active transport mechanisms.
2. A typical mammalian cell is placed in a solution and immediately begins increasing in
volume. Therefore, the solution is _______ and an osmotic pressure gradient _______
created:
A) Hypertonic; is
B) Hypotonic; is
C) Isotonic; is not
D) Hypotonic; is not
E) Hypertonic; is not
Answer: D
Explanation: Water moves into the cell when the extracellular solution has a lower solute
concentration (hypotonic) than the intracellular fluid, causing the cell to swell. Osmotic
pressure always exists when solute concentrations differ across a membrane.
,3. A researcher develops a protocol for creating a solution that causes cells placed within
it to lose all of their ATP. Consequently, for cells placed in this solution, their
sodium/potassium ATPase pumps would be unable to function, and which compound
would still be able to enter the cells?
A) Glucose via facilitated diffusion
B) Glucose via primary active transport
C) Sodium via primary active transport
D) Potassium via the sodium/potassium pump
E) Amino acids via secondary active transport
Answer: A
Explanation: Glucose uptake via GLUT proteins occurs through facilitated diffusion, which
does not require ATP. The sodium/potassium ATPase pump requires ATP to function, as do all
primary and secondary active transport mechanisms.
4. Which of the following statements correctly describes the movement of compound X
across the plasma membrane via protein Y?
A) Energy was necessarily used for transport
B) X must have moved against its concentration gradient
C) Protein Y could be an always-open channel
D) Only X could move through protein Y
E) X required ATP hydrolysis to move
Answer: C
Explanation: Protein Y could be an ion channel that remains continuously open, allowing
passive movement of X down its electrochemical gradient without energy expenditure. Other
compounds might also move through the same channel.
5. A student consumes 0.5 L of a beverage containing 2 mol glucose, 1 mol NaCl, and 2
mol MgCl₂. A friend consumes 1 L of a beverage containing 1 mol glucose, 2 mol HCl,
and 3 mol MgCl₂. Which statement correctly compares their osmolarities?
A) The friend's beverage has higher osmolarity
B) Both beverages have equal osmolarity
C) The student's beverage has higher osmolarity
, D) Osmolarity cannot be calculated without the dissociation constants
E) The beverages have identical osmolarities because volume differs
Answer: C
Explanation: Student's beverage: glucose (2 × 1 = 2), NaCl (1 × 2 = 2), MgCl₂ (2 × 3 = 6) =
10 osmoles per 0.5 L = 20 Osm/L. Friend's beverage: glucose (1 × 1 = 1), HCl (2 × 2 = 4),
MgCl₂ (3 × 3 = 9) = 14 osmoles per 1 L = 14 Osm/L. The student's beverage has higher
osmolarity.
6. The sodium/potassium ATPase pump is classified as a counter-transporter because it:
A) Moves both sodium and potassium against their concentration gradients
B) Moves sodium out of the cell and potassium into the cell simultaneously
C) Uses ATP to power the movement of both ions
D) Transports two potassium ions into the ICF while pumping sodium out
E) Requires both ions to be present for activity
Answer: D
Explanation: The sodium/potassium ATPase pump transports three sodium ions out of the
cell and two potassium ions into the cell per ATP hydrolyzed, making it an antiporter that
moves ions in opposite directions.
7. To increase the diffusion rate of compound X across the plasma membrane, which
modification would be effective?
A) Increasing membrane thickness
B) Changing compound X from nonpolar to polar
C) Doubling the cell's membrane surface area
D) Reducing the concentration gradient
E) Decreasing membrane fluidity
Answer: C
Explanation: According to Fick's law, the diffusion rate is directly proportional to the
membrane surface area. Doubling the surface area would increase the diffusion rate.
8. Which statement correctly describes active transport mechanisms?
A) Primary active transport always requires energy and always involves counter-transport
B) Secondary active transport always uses ATP directly
